In 1843 the Royal Yacht Squadron gave a cup to be sailed for by the Royal Thames Yacht Club at Cowes. A very good picture of the race was painted by Condy of Plymouth. At that time the 25-tonners were the representative craft in the Thames, and 'Mystery,' 'Blue Bell,' 'Phantom,' 'Cygnet,' and 'Gnome' were generally to the fore. When the Thames matches were sailed there were invariably some representatives from the Royal Yacht Squadron to attend the racing, and everyone looked out for the white ensign. The 'Pearl,' belonging to the Marquis of Anglesey, always ran up alongside the club steamer, and dipped her ensign as her owner waved his glazed hat, standing by the gunwale of his grand craft. In those days there certainly was intense enthusiasm about the 25-tonners, and great was the enjoyment they afforded the visitors. [Illustration: 'Dolphin,' R.Y.S., 217 tons, 1839. (G. H. Ackers, Esq.)] In 1851 the Royal Yacht Squadron gave a cup to be sailed for, and it was won by the 'America' schooner, belonging to Commodore J. C. Stevens, of the New York Club. In America it is always called the Queen's Cup, and in England the 'America' Cup, but it is really the Royal Yacht Squadron Cup. The Americans have held it ever since. [Illustration: 'Esmeralda,' R.Y.S., 1846.] [Illustration: The 'Mystery' Winning the Cup Presented by R.Y.S. to be Sailed for by Yachts of R.T.Y. Club. (_August 1843_.)] Luggers as yachts were common. In 1827 Lord Harborough had a large lugger, the 'Emmetje,' of 103 tons, of which he was so proud that he entered Ramsgate Harbour flying the coach whip of the Royal Navy, until the officer of the Coastguard came on board and hauled it down. Some thirty years afterwards came a revival when Lord Willoughby De Eresby brought out in 1859 his celebrated lugger the 'New Moon.' She was larger than Lord Harborough's--209 tons, 134 ft. long, 18 ft. 5 in. beam, constructed at Hastings. Her highest speed was attained on long reach, and was shown on the occasion of her racing back to Harwich. In a fine breeze she went away from the other yachts, going 14 or 15 knots; but ill fate awaited her; she had to make two boards to fetch the Cork Lightship and the Bell Buoy. That was her destruction; the time taken to dip the enormous lugs in going about allowed the others, who had been nearly hull down, to overhaul her, so necessary is it to have a craft that comes round like a top with canvas easily handled. [Illustration: 'De Emmetje,' lugger, 103 tons, 1827 (Lord Harborough).] The Jubilee of the Yacht Club was celebrated at Cowes in 1865, and another notable event took place on the occasion of the Queen's Jubilee, June 21, 1887. A procession of the Royal Yacht Squadron manoeuvred in two columns, canvas and steam, finishing up with a signal from the Commodore: 'Steam ahead full speed.' A drawing of this spectacle, by Sir Oswald Brierley, is at the Castle, Cowes. [Illustration: 'New Moon,' R.Y.S., 209 tons, 1859 (Lord Willoughby De Eresby).]